Elementary Science Fourth Grade Curriculum
Outline

The Sioux FallsSchool District will
provide the opportunity for students to participate in science through inquiry
to help prepare them to live in a changing world.

The
Sioux FallsSchool District will provide the
opportunity for students to be health conscious.

II.Fourth
Grade Course Description:

In the fourth grade curriculum, students will engage,
explore, explain, extend and evaluate concepts of physical science, life
science; earth/space science; and science, technology, environment and society.The health curriculum will provide the
opportunity for students to obtain, interpret and understand basic health
information and services; and the competence to use such information and
services in ways, which enhance their own health.

4.H.5.1 Contribute to the health of their families, peers,
schools, communities and the environment.

·Understand
the importance of product labels and consumer buying habits.

IV.District Approved Instructional Materials

Text(s):Science, A Closer Look,
Grade 4

Macmillan/McGraw Hill, 2008

V.Grading Standards

The
fourth grade report card outlines standards that must be taught.A percentage will be given as another measure
of academic achievement and understanding.A corresponding grading scale accompanies the percentage.

Standard

Essential Skills

Important to Know and Do

Worth Being Familiar With

Science

*Note – This chapter is
not required by SD state standards and should only be completed when all
standards have been addressed.

4.L.1.2 Differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates, and classify
the five groups of vertebrates (mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird and fish)
based on characteristics.

4.L.1.2.Differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates,
and classify the five groups of vertebrates (mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird
and fish) based on characteristics.

Define vertebrates and invertebrates.

4.L.2.1.Identify behavioral and structural
adaptations that allow a plant or animal to survive in a particular
environment.

Explain environments and migration.

4.L.2.2.Explain how a size of a population is
dependent upon the available resources within the community.

·Know community resources.

·Define population.

4.L.3.1.Describe the flow of energy through food
chains and webs.

Understand food chains.

Beaks,
Feet, and FeathersWhat makes a bird a bird? Learn how different birds use
their beak, feet, and feather adaptations to survive in their unique
habitat. Meet Flopper, our resident Blue Jay, and learn about her
story of survival. Make a bird feeder to take home and go on a
nature hike to discover some of the different birds that live around the
oxbow. (2 hours)
4TH: 4.L.2.1

Going,
Going, GoneWho’s disappearing from our planet and why? What’s meant by
the different classifications – threatened, endangered, and extinct?
Play a game and do activities that highlight some of South Dakota’s disappearing
wildlife. Learn what you can do to help. (1.5 hours)
4TH: 4.L.3.1

Creatures
of the NightDiscover which animals sleep during the day and play all
night. Learn about the nocturnal critters that live in South Dakota.
Make a nighttime-creature mask, play games, and go on a nature hike to
look for signs of animals that come out after dark. (2 hours)
4TH: 4.L.2.1

Home
is Where the Habitat IsGet to know some of our wildlife and what habitats they call home
with games and fun hands-on activities. Learn what wildlife and
people need to survive. Feed our fish and go on a hike outdoors to discover
signs of wildlife habitats. (1.5 hours)
4TH: 4.L.2.1, 4.L.2.2

Radical
ReptilesEnter
the world of South Dakota’s
reptiles. Learn about their special adaptations. Play a game,
make a reptile craft. Get up close and personal with some of these fascinating,
cold-blooded creatures. (2 hours)4TH: 4.L.2.1

Going
BattyAre
bats blind? Can they get caught in your hair? How do they
communicate? Learn the answers to these questions and a lot more
through fun games, activities, and a hike. (2 hours)4TH: 4.L.1.2, 4.L.2.1

Prairie
PartnersThrough
games and hands-on activities discover what lives and grows on the
prairie. Take a hike and play a game to identify prairie plants and
animals. Learn about the wonders of the prairie ecosystem as it was long
ago and exists today. (2 hours)
4TH: 4.L.2.1, 4.L.2.2

Wigglers
and SquirmersMeet
the critters that live close to or under the ground on the prairie.
Play a game and learn the important role these animals play in the prairie
ecosystem. (2 hours)
4TH: 4.L.1.2, 4.L.2.1

Tracks
and TracesUsing
actual pelts, skulls, antlers, and other materials, learn about the
critters that call South Dakota
home. Learn to identify animal’s tracks and about predator-prey
relationships. Hike the trails to look for signs of animals and make
a plaster cast of an animal’s track to take home. (2 hours)
4TH: 4.L.2.1

The
Outdoor Campus has several critter crates available to teachers. Crates
contain artifacts and some suggested activities. The types of crates and the
policies concerning the crates are listed below.

These crates are sponsored by SD
Game, Fish and Parks and The Outdoor Campus.

School or Group
When the ZooMobile pulls into your parking lot an adventure is sure to follow!
All ages will enjoy getting a close-up, hands-on opportunity to get
nose-to-nose with a variety of creatures as they explore the wonders of the
Animal Kingdom. The Great Plains Zoo will travel to your facility to present
programs on a variety of topics using live animals and animal artifacts called
biofacts. All programs adhere closely to the South Dakota Content Standards
for Science.

LIFE SCIENCE

4.L.1.2.Differentiate between vertebrates and
invertebrates, and classify the five groups of vertebrates (mammal, reptile,
amphibian, bird and fish) based on characteristics.

Define vertebrates and
invertebrates.

Vertebrates
and Spineless Wonders (4-12) Why is being called
spineless so bad? Welcome to earth, where over 95% of all animals are
spineless and very happy. This program will explore the boned and boneless
animals. How does the backbone support the spinal cord? How can an animal
survive without a spine?

4.L.2.1.Identify behavioral and structural
adaptations that allow a plant or animal to survive in a particular
environment.

Explain environments and migration.

Adaptations
for Survival (1-7) Claws, Talons, Eyes, Teeth, Tails,
Odors, Speed, and so many more ways to survive. Investigate the marvelous
physical and behavioral adaptations animals use for survival.

The
Big, the Bad and the Biting: Misconceptions about Reptiles (1-7)
How do snakes move without arms or legs? Are snakes slimy, do lizards
crawls, why do snakes and skinks flick their tongues, and why can’t a
turtle come out of its shell? This program will discuss animals that have
an undeserved bad reputation. Get the lowdown on the low-to-the-ground
animals.

An
African Safari Jambo! (3-12) Experience the beauty of
a people and culture much different from your own. A member of our
Education Department will share the wonders of Africa
teaching a few Swahili words, explore animals and compare your school to
an African school. (Optional: Slide Show)

Living
on the Edge. Going…Going…Gone! (6-12)
Why is there extinction? Students will be presented with many problems
facing animals today and what we can all do to help.

4.L.3.1.Describe the flow of energy through food
chains and webs. Understand food chains.

Web
of Life (3-7) What would happen if all the
Black-footed ferrets disappeared? Explore the roles of herbivores,
omnivores and carnivores through food chains and the “world wide web”.
Determine why they need each other to achieve healthy populations in the
wild. Learn how predators, prey, plants, scavengers, and decomposers are
linked in an intricate web of life.